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Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoDispatch File PhotosSecurity will be tight this weekend as President Barack Obama speaks at the Ohio State University commencement on Sunday, while on Saturday, tens of thousands of runners, walkers and spectators will fill Columbus streets for the Capital City Half Marathon.

People attending Saturday’s Capital City Half Marathon or Sunday’s Ohio State University
commencement likely will need some patience to deal with long lines and tight security.

President Barack Obama is the commencement speaker, and marathons have been on high alert since
two bombs at the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured more than 260 on April 15.

Cap City organizers emailed participants yesterday that “all bags will be screened and some
searched” at the Downtown half-marathon, which is sold out, with 14,000 runners and walkers
expected for four events.

And more police officers will be there than in previous years, said Lt. Karl Barth, who oversees
special events for the Columbus Division of Police. Barth wouldn’t disclose how many.

He said he has met with Cap City organizers as well as those for the Komen Race for the Cure
that is scheduled for May 18. City officials requested the extra police and fire presence, he said.
“The city just decided to increase the visibility.”

Ohio State is advising commencement guests to arrive at Ohio Stadium by 7:30 a.m. on Sunday — 4
1/2 hours before the start of the ceremony — to make it through what is being described as “
airportlike security” that will include metal detectors.

White House officials refused to discuss the security planning but said the president is looking
forward to speaking to the 10,000 graduates who are expected to attend.

“Our top priority is the graduates and their families as we continue planning this memorable
commencement,” OSU spokeswoman Amy Murray said. “We are hoping to make this a safe and pleasant day
for everyone in the stadium.”

Several students said the additional security will be a hassle but necessary.

“He’s the president. We shouldn’t expect anything less,” said Nana Babic, a 21-year-old
marketing major from Powell who will be attending the ceremony.

“People should look at it as the price you pay for a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” added
Meghan Nestleroth, a 22-year-old pharmaceutical-sciences major from Westerville.

Graduates must have photo identification and should report to their assembly sites in the French
Field House or RPAC — the school’s recreation center — by 8:30 a.m. Family and friends will not be
allowed at these locations and should go directly to the stadium.

Anyone older than 2 will be required to have an admission ticket. Guests will be assigned to a
seating section, but seating within the sections will be first-come, first-served.

People will not be allowed to exit and re-enter once they’re inside the stadium. Everyone should
be seated by 11:30 a.m. The ceremony will begin at noon and should last about 21/2 hours.

To avoid lengthy delays, the university is prohibiting some items: backpacks and large handbags,
coolers, liquids of any kind, metal folding seats or seats that clamp onto bleachers, noisemakers,
Mace, signs, umbrellas and weapons.

For more information about what is permitted and prohibited, go to
commencement.osu.edu. Shuttle buses will
run from West Campus parking lots to the Sisson Hall footbridge beginning at 6 a.m. until one hour
after the ceremony. Murray urged guests to use the shuttles because traffic is likely to be
gridlocked elsewhere.

Parking also will be available first-come, first-served in any permit zones around St. John
Arena, the Agriculture Campus, Schottenstein Center, student residence halls or on West Campus. No
OSU permits will be required in those areas.

The Arps, Ohio Union and Lane Avenue parking garages also will be available at no charge. But
people should expect these areas to fill up quickly. Ohio State will provide handicap parking but
is still working on the details, Murray said.